It's authentic Okinawan. Great mellow vibe and has a resident black cat running around.

I'd heard that even women drinking alone can feel comfortable here⭐︎, so I went to try it. I made my way through the bustle of the drinking district in front of the station, and while wandering around thinking, maybe it's around here～, I found the entrance to a tiny, tiny staircase. Climbing those narrow stairs feeling like a stray cat, I found an interior so peaceful that the bustle I'd just walked through seemed unreal. It was also quiet because they'd only just opened. The female staff member's very natural welcome and the cat casually strolling around make it comfortable. Beer with the recommended onigiri as a drinking snack. The snacks come generously portioned, with gentle flavors that sink into your body. There are only a few varieties, but they don't seem like they'd get boring. Maybe two people could try them all. It's inexpensive too, so next time I think I'll come with friends or family. Also, I didn't know this, but apparently it's one of Gen Hoshino's fan pilgrimage spots. I even got to hear the story=(^.^)=

+2

A cozy little place with 8 counter seats, 1 table for 4, 1 table for 2, and a tatami area for 6. An older man dozes at the counter, while you hear 4 women chatting on the other side. A foreigner in the tatami area explains, shikuwasa is something like an Okinawan lemon! Slowly sipping awamori in that kind of space is what makes it so nice.

The restaurant is upstairs on the second floor. The first-floor entrance facing 昭和新道 is small and inconspicuous, so first-time visitors might feel a little apprehensive about what kind of place it is. Do go up the stairs! A lovely space awaits you. There are about 5 counter seats, 2 tables in the back, and a tatami seating area. The interior is quite spacious, much more than you would imagine from the entrance. They also have a wide selection of aged awamori. There are stylish drinks such as shikuwasa sours and coffee awamori too. The food is very delicious. Apparently, they make their own lard for stir-frying. They boast that its richness is different from the vegetable oil many Okinawan restaurants use! Wanting to try that proud specialty, I had the 沖縄焼きそば. Indeed! Such a rich flavor. The 島らっきょう and carrot salad had deeply satisfying flavors and were perfect accompaniments to awamori. Above all, the homelike hospitality makes you feel very relaxed. A sanshin gathering started in the tatami area at the back! There are lots of posters announcing live Okinawan and Ainu music performances, so it seems to be a place for sharing culture too. I like this kind of atmosphere.

This is a long-established Okinawan restaurant in 中野. The ゴーヤーチャンプルー has pork in it too, and I absolutely love the flavor! When the owner has time, they also play the sanshin for you, which is a nice bonus♪